Joseph d



(No-Model.)

J. D. GIBBENS & W. B. MURRAY. ELBCTROMAGNBTIU GOLD SEPARATOR.

N 539,804. Patented May 28, 1895.

mm) STATES Fries.

JOSEPH D. GIBBENS AND \VILLIAM B. MURRAY, OF PORTLAND, ORGEON.

ELECTRO MAG N E TlC co LD-SEPARATO R.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 539,804, dated May 28,1895.

Application filcd October 20, 1894. Serial No, 526,447. (Ito model.)

To ztZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH D. GIBBENS and WILLIAM B. MURRAY, citizensof the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomahand State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Electromagnetic Gold-Separators; and we do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in electromagnetic ore separators,and has for its object the provision of means whereby flour gold may bequickly and readily removed from black sand during its course through asluice in which are located amalgamating devices.

The invention consists of astepped section or extension ofthesluice-boxcovered with copper plates having lateral grooves therein forthe reception of the mercury for amalgamating purposes, the said plateshaving placed thereon, a series of adjustable electro-magnets having abroad fiat armature or core extension.

The invention further consists of certain details of constructionandcombination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure l is aside elevation of a portion of a sluice extension with the side piecesremoved. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevationof oneset of magnets, showing their common armature or core extensionand the means for adjusting the same; and Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthearmature or core extension of the magnets.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a sluice box and 2 an enlargedextension thereof, in which are located our improved devices. lVeform-the said extension into steps 3 gradually leading downward, andcover the said steps with copper plates at having lateral grooves 5, inthe upper surfaces thereof.

These grooves are adapted to hold mercury,

and have spouts 6, through which the mercury may be drawn off. The saidgrooves are also provided at their outer ends with electric circuitwires 7, 7, connecting the same with a suitable source of electricity,by which the mercury is enlivened. At the entrance of the extension 2,we place blocks of wood or other suitable obstructions 8, for thepurpose of spreading the material to be treated from the sluice, in thinsheets over all portions of the plates 4.

9, 9, represent a gang of electro-magnets having soft iron cores 10, 10,which are made integral with or are attached to a common broad fiatarmature, or core extension 11. One

.gang of magnets with a single armatu re, is located upon each" step 3,and the said armature is supported thereon at aslight distancetherefrom, by means of the hand screws 12, 12, which adapt the saidmagnets with their common armature to be adjusted to and from thesaidsteps. The coils 13 of the electromagnets are connected up in'seriesorin multiple arc, as may be desired. The magnets are located at such adistance from the steps 3 that they will not attract the magneticparticles mixed with the flour gold to them, but are near enough theretoto have such particles within the field of force of such magnets, tocounteract the force of gravity upon the saidparticles, causing the same.to flow off with the water and the free gold to be caught up by themercury in the grooves 5.

The magnets can be adjusted to suit different qualities of sand by meansof the screws 12, and a suitable resistance coil may be located betweenthe dynamo or other source of electric supply and the magnets, forregulating the power of the latter.

It will be seen that we have devised a simple and effective device forthe purpose, and one which will be Within. the reach of all as to cost.This/has been described in its preferred form, butitis obvious that manyminor changes may be made therein without departing from the nature orspirit of our invention or sacificing any of its advantages.

Having now described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patcut, is V '1. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a stepped extension, of a sluice-box having groovedcopper plates thereon adapted to be filled with mercuryfor amalgamatingpurposes, of electro magnets arranged in gangs, located above the saidsteps a and provided with means for adjusting the same to and from thesaid steps, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with astepped extension of a sluice-box having grooved copper plates thereonadapted to be filled with mercury for amalgamating purposes, ofelectro-magnets arranged in gangs having a common armature or coreextension, located above the said steps and provided with means ofadjusting the same to and from the said steps, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with astepped extension, of a a sluice box, having grooved copper platesthereon adapted to be filled with mercury for

